A once failing surgery, run by a disgraced GP Dr Manohar Singh, has been transformed under new management.
Birkby Health Centre has received a ‘good’ overall rating in its latest report by the government health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The surgery, previously managed by Dr Singh, had been given the bottom ‘inadequate’ rating in its previous CQC report.
But the surgery, on Norwood Road, was taken over by Dr Sobia Khaliq in January – and it has since improved dramatically.
The practice, which had been placed in special measures, was given ‘good’ ratings in all categories – safety, effectiveness, compassionate care, responsiveness and leadership – following an inspection in April.
The CQC report said: “We found that the practice had made significant progress in addressing concerns that had been identified in October 2015.
“For example, shortfalls in staff training and recruitment checks had been addressed, infection control procedures and the management of temperature sensitive vaccines was more effectively managed and clinical audits were being used to drive improvements in patient care.
“A new practice manager and nurse had been appointed and Dr Khaliq had sought external support and advice to improve services.
CQC Deputy Chief Inspector of General Practice, Dr Janet Williamson, said: “We did not believe that the practice was likely to resolve its challenges without external support, and this is why it was placed it into special measures.
“After a period of six months we inspected again and were pleased to see a number of significant improvements made by the surgery to raise the standard of care they provide to their local community.”
Dr Khaliq took over the surgery following Dr Singh’s retirement.
Dr Singh’s licence to practice was suspended for nine months after he was found guilty of several counts of misconduct by a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) panel, in February.
He was found guilty of misconduct during an unrelated MPTS tribunal in 2010, following the death of Birkby grandma Doreen Froste.
Mrs Froste died at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, in 2004, partially from poisoning by Methotrexate, a drug prescribed by Dr Singh.
